Dispenser for feed grains and the like

ABSTRACT

The device dispenses a predetermined amount of feed grain or the like upon deposition of a coin or token. The feed is accurately measured by means of a weigh scale and deposited by gravity into a container externally of the machine.

United States Patent 1191 v 1111 3,841,523

Friesen I 51 Oct. 15, 1974 4] DISPENSER FOR FEED GRAINS AND THE [56] References Cited LIKE UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Nicholas Friesen, Headingly, 1,878,874 9/1932 McBride 222/77 Manitoba, Canada 3,095,097 6/1963 MellOW 222/56 3,550,650 12/1970 Yam/16511116 222/77 [73] Assignee: Happy Horse-Feed Vendors Ltd.,

winnepeg Manitoba Canada Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves [22] Filed; Dec. 4, 1972 Assistant Examiner-H. Grant Skaggs, Jr. [2 l pp No: 312,055 Attorney, Agent, or F1rmStanley G. Ade

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. c1 222/2, 222/76, 222/77, The device dispenses a. predetermined amount of feed 177/105 grain or the like upon deposition of a coin or token. [51] Int Cl 867d 5/00 58 The feed 15 accurate), mgasured y meansof a welgh 1 held of Search 222/77 scale and deposited by gravity into a container exter- 222/176; 194/13, 35,6; 177/105, 114, 116, any Ofthe machine 15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 1 5 19.74

SHEEI 2 OF 4 PATEmgunm 1 51am SHEEI 3 0F 4 AUGER STOP RESET 22 I 39 START L.f\ CLOSE T r I -D.R- 4 27/ 57 STOP START camp F l G. 3

F l G. 4

PATENTEDUCT 1 51914 SHEET t 0F 4 KPPQLC 6w 6528 M959 23 1 DISPENSER FOR FEED GRAINS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and usefule improvements in the -dispensing of materials such as feed grains in predetermined quantities automatically.

Although the device is designed specifically for use at horse racing tracks or the like in which oats or the like are required for the feeding of horses, nevertheless it will be appreciated that the device can be used for the dispensing of any dry granular material.

Conventionally in the stable or barn area of a race track, feed is obtained from a bulk supplier as and when required. It is normally shovelled by hand into bags or containers, weighed and then transported to the individual stables;

This method requires an attendant to be on hand at all times for the dispensing and weighing of the feed grain and this is relatively expensive for the operator. Furthermore hand shovelling and weighing of feed grain is relatively slow so that much time is often wasted while purchasers wait for the grain to be dispensed and weighed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a relatively large storage supply of grain which can be dispensed accurately and automatically by the insertion of a coin or token at which time the predetermined amount of feed is dispensed through a discharge opening into a bag held by the purchaser.

The principal object and essence of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which dispenses grain automatically upon the insertion of a coin or token, the quantity of said grain being measured accurately by means of a weigh scale prior to discharge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described from which feed grain is available at all times always providing that the storage portion remains full.

Still another object of the'invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the dispensing of the feed grain is rapid and accurate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and other such objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation partially schematic of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I but showing the pre' ferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the sequence of operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a still further embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a wiring'diagram corresponding to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 3.

In the drawings likecharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should first be made to FIG. 1 in which 10 illustrates the main storage area for feed grain or the like such as oats, it being understood that it should be contained within a building or bin, access to which is available only to the operator.

An auger assembly collectively designated 11 is provided through a partition 12 with the intake end of the conveyor being within the storage bin area 10.

Although an auger assembly is shown, nevertheless it will be appreciated that an endless belt or bucket conveyor can be substituted.

A source of power is the form of an electric motor 13 is provided at the discharge end 14 of the auger assembly and is connected to the auger shaft 15 by means of a belt and pulley assembly 16 in the usual way so that the auger shaft and pipe 17 thereon, will rotate and auger feed grain upwardly from the storage bin 10 to a discharge spout l8.

Situtated below the discharge spout 18 is a surge tank 19 which is supported within the upper portion of the structure (not illustrated) so that the open upper end of the surge tank is immediately below the discharge 18 of the auger assembly. In this regard an overflow pipe 20 may be provided adjacent the upper end of the surge tank 19 so that same will not overflow in the event that faulty operation of the device occurs.

Baffle plates 21 are provided within the surge tank to spread the feed grain evenly as it is deposited within the surge tank and a spring loaded gate valve 22 is pivotally secured to the base of the surge tank and adapted to open or close the lower end of the surge tank. The surge tank is provided to give an even flow of feed grain as same is dischargedfrom the surge tank as will hereinafter be described.

The gate valve 22 is operated by means of a solenoid 23 and is normally held closed by means of a spring (not illustrated).

Weigh scale means taking the form of a conventional weigh beam assembly 24 is situated immediately below the surge tank and the beam 25 is suspended upon pivot 26 shown schematically.

A substantially cylindrical measuring tube 26 is suspended from the weigh beam 25 offset from the pivot support 26 and adjustable weight 28 may be moved along the weigh beam to compensate for the weight of the measuring tube assembly 27 so that when empty, the weigh beam is at the uppermost point of its travel.

By adjusting the weight 28, the beam 25 is adapted to move downwardly when a predetermined quantity of feed grain is contained within the measuring tube as will hereinafter be described.

A cone shaped gate valve 29 is secured to an operating rod 30 and is situated within the lower end 31 of the measuring tube.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this gate valve is normally open but can be closed by means of a solenoid valve 32 situated within the measuring tube adjacent the upper end thereof.

Situated immediately below the measuring tube assembly 27 is a discharge funnel 33 connected to a discharge pipe 34, the lower end 35 thereof is led externally of the device so that a container may be held therebelow by the purchaser.

Under normal conditions, the surge tank is full of grain with gate valve 22 closed and gate valve 29 open.

When the device is operated by the insertion of a coin or token within a conventional token operated device shown schematically in FIG. 3 by reference character 36A, the following sequence takes place. Alternatively, a monetary note such as a l .00 bill can be used in conjunction with a bill verifier all of which is conventional and in the claims the word token is meant to cover such a system.

Solenoid valve 32 is operated to close gate valve 29 whereupon solenoid 23 opens gate valve 22 so that grain contained within the surge tank 19 is deposited by gravity in a relatively even flow into the measuring tube 27.

As the measuring tube fills, the weigh beam 25 gradually comes into balance and operates switch 36 which cuts off the power. At this point solenoid 23 is deenergized so that the spring closes off gate 22. Solenoid 32 is also de-energized thus enabling the weight of the grain within the measuring tube to open the gate valve 29 so that this grain deposits by gravity into the discharge funnel 33 and thence to the discharge pipe 34.

At the beginning of the sequence, the insertion of the coin or token also starts the electric motor 13 so that grain is elevated from the storage bin into the surge tank thus maintaining same in a full condition and when switch 36 is operated by the weigh beam 26, motor 13 ceases to operate.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the preferred embodiment in which similar reference characters have been given to parts which are similar in construction.

However in this embodiment, the measuring tube 27 is provided with a gate valve assembly 37 internally of the cone shaped end 38 of the tube 27 and this gate valve 37 is normally closed, being held in this position by means of grain contained within the measuring tube at all times except when the device is operated.

The sequence of operation in this embodiment is as follows. A coin or token is inserted within the coin or token operating means 36A which operates solenoid 32 thus lifting or opening the gate valve 37 and allowing the pre-measured quantity of grain within the measuring tube 27, to descend by gravity into the discharge funnel 33 as hereinbefore described.

At the same time a time delay relay 39 is tripped which delays further operation for a predetermined time while the grain is being dumped from the measuring tube 27.

Afte this predetermined time has elapsed, the time delay relay trips and closes solenoid 32 which allows valve 37 to close and also trips a further switch 39A which in turn energizes motor 13 and starts th auger assembly 11. The closing of switch 39 also energizes solenoid 23 within the surge tank 19 so that the valve 22 is opened thus permitting grain to pass from the surge tank into the measuring tube until the weigh beam 25 comes irito balance at which time the aforementioned switch 36 trips and closes everything off until a further coin or token is inserted.

The advantage of this particular embodiment resides in the fact that the measuring tube is always full ready for immediate discharge upon the insertion of a coin or token.

In both embodiments it is desirable but not absolutely necessary to provide a conventional grain or feed crimper shown schematically by reference character 40 within the discharge funnel 33 to partially crush the grain as it passes therethrough.

Also it is not absolutely necessary to have the surge tank although this does even out the movement of the grain thus assisting in the accurate weighing of the grain passing into the measuring tube 27.

Instead of having a storage bin 10 with a conveyor to move the grain from the bin to he surge tank, it may be desirable to have overhead storage in the form of a bin 10A as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

This bin feeds by gravity to a discharge funnel 41 having a gate valve 42 in the base thereof operated by means of a solenoid valve 43.

This embodiment eliminates the necessity for a surge tank although the sequence of operation of valve 42 is similar to valve 22 as hereinbefore described.

The switch 36 may be mechanically operated or may take the form of a magnetic switch operated by the proximity of the end 44 of the beam 25.

Although electrical energy is one preferred source of power, hydraulic or pneumatic energy can be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, the following is the circuit operation of the dispenser.

Conditions: All relays are de-energized, the measuring tube switch 36' is open, and all micro-switches are in their normal state with the power off.

After filling the measuring tube 27 with grain, the normally open switch 36A, will close and therefore complete two circuits.

First Circuit. Via measuring tube switch 36, normally closed weighing scale micro-switch 36, normally closed discharge solenoid micro-switch 32A, to relay RL2.

Second Circuit. Via measuring tube switch 36', normally closed relay contact RL22, to coin acceptor solenoid 36A (C.A.) and token acceptor solenoid 36B (T.A.), which upon application of power, will allow the coin acceptor and the token acceptor to accept their respectively currency. in the event of power failure, the grain dispenser being in motion, or the bin being empty, both the coin acceptor and the token acceptor will not accept any currency. These devices are conventional so that further constructional details are not believed to be necessary.

When switching the power on, the following sequence will occur. Relay RL2 will pull in and close contact RL2-1. This will start the auger motor 13 and fill the weighing tube. At the same time RL2-2 opens and prevents the coin acceptor or the token acceptor from accepting tokens or the like. After a predetermined weight in the weighing tube has been reached, weighing scale micro-switch 36 will open and therefore de-energize RL2 which in turn will open RL2-l and stop the auger motor 13 and close RL2-2, to restore power to the coin acceptor and token acceptor solenoids'thereby allowing them to accept currency or tokens.

By inserting the required currency or token in either the currency acceptor or the token acceptor, a momentary contact will energize relay RLl, and via RLl-l and normally closed contact 39A of the time delay unit (TDU), RLl will latch in. Under these conditions, power is applied to the time delay unit 39, contact RLl-Z is closed so that the crimper motor will start, and the discharge solenoid 32 will dump the grain from the weighing tube 27 into the crimper 40. Contact RLl-3 opens and prevents the coin acceptor and token acceptor from accepting coins or tokens. Discharge solenoid micro-switch opens and prevents the auger from starting since the weighing tube is now empty and the weighing scale micro-switch 36 is closed.

The time delay unit is a conventional electronic device readily available from several manufacturers so that it is not believed necessary to describe the operating circuits thereof.

After a predetermined time, to allow the crimper to process the grain, the normally closed contact 39A of the time delay unit 39, will open and de-energize RLl, therefore RLl-2 opens. This will stop the crimper and close the weighing tube by de-energizing the solenoid 32. The solenoid micro-switch 32A closes and starts the auger motor 13. RLl-3 closes, but RL2-2 opens and will not allow currency or tokens to be accepted. Power is removed from the time delay unit 39 and automaticaily this unit is reset. After the weighing tube has reached the predetermined weight, the weighing scale micro-switch 36 opens, RL2 de-energizes, stops the auger, closes RL2-2, which in turn energizes a currency acceptor and token acceptor solenoids for the next cycle to accept currency.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An automatic dispensing device for the dispensing of feed grains and the like, operated from a source of power and comprising in combination a measuring tube, means to convey grain from a source of supply to said measuring tube, valve means in the base of said measuring tube, weigh scale means, said measuring tube being operatively connected to said weigh scale means, and discharge means under said measuring tube to convey grain from said measuring tube to a discharge location when said valve means opens and token operated means operatively connected to said conveyor means and to said valve means.

2. An automatic dispensing device for feed grains and similar material and operated by a source of power, comprising in combination a surge tank, means to convey material to said surge tank, valve means in the base of said surge tank, weigh scale means, a measuring tank operatively connected to said weigh scale means, valve means in the base of said measuring tank, said surge tank being situated above said measuring tank whereby material passes by gravity from said surge tank to said measuring tube when said valve means at the base of said surge tank is open, discharge means under said measuring tank to convey material from said measuring tank to a discharge location when said valve means in the base of said measuring tank is open, and token operated means operatively connected to said conveyor means, said valve means in said surge tank and said valve means in said measuring tank to operate same in a predetermined sequence.

3. The device according to claim 1 which includes a surge tank between said conveyor means and said measuring tube, and valve means in said surge tank, grain passing from said surge tank into said measuring tube when said last valve means is opened.

4. The device according to claim 1 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.

5. The device according to claim 2 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.

6. The device according to claim 3 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.

7. The device according to claim 1 which includes switch means operated by said weigh scale means and operatively connected between said source of power and said conveyor means.

8. The device according to claim 2 which includes a switch means operated by said weigh scale means and is operatively connected between said source of power and said conveyor means, said valve means at the base of said measuring tube being normally open, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed, said surge tank being full prior to operating of said token operated means, said measuring tube being empty prior to operation of said valve means at the base thereof by said token operating means.

9. The device according to claim 5 which includes a switch means operated by said weigh scale means and operatively connected between source of power and said conveyor means, said valve means at the base of said measuring tube being normally open, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed, saud surge tank being full prior to operating of said token operated means, said measuring tube being empty prior to operation of said valve means at the base thereof by said token operating means.

10. The devivce according to claim 2 in which said measuring tank is normally full with said valve means at the base thereof being closed prior to operation by said token operating means, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed prior to operation by said token operating means.

11. The device according to claim 5 in which said measuring tank is normally full with said valve means at the base thereof being closed prior to operation by said token operating means, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed prior to operation by said token operating means.

12. The device according to claim 1 in which said conveyor means includes a container for a supply of said feed grain, valve means in the base thereof, said base being above the upper open end of said measuring tube and feeding grain thereinby gravity when said last mentioned valve means is opened.

13. The device according to claim 12 in which said last mentioned valve means is normally closed until opened by said token operating means, said measuring tube being normally full until the valve means at the base thereof is opened by said token operating means.

14. The device according to claim 4 in which said conveyor means includes a container for a supply of said feed grain, valve means in the base thereof, said base being above the upper open end of said measuring tube and feeding grain therein by gravity when said last thereof is opened by said token operating means. 

1. An automatic dispensing device for the dispensing of feed grains and the like, operated from a source of power and comprising in combination a measuring tube, means to convey grain from a source of supply to said measuring tube, valve means in the base of said measuring tube, weigh scale means, said measuring tube being operatively connected to said weigh scale meAns, and discharge means under said measuring tube to convey grain from said measuring tube to a discharge location when said valve means opens and token operated means operatively connected to said conveyor means and to said valve means.
 2. An automatic dispensing device for feed grains and similar material and operated by a source of power, comprising in combination a surge tank, means to convey material to said surge tank, valve means in the base of said surge tank, weigh scale means, a measuring tank operatively connected to said weigh scale means, valve means in the base of said measuring tank, said surge tank being situated above said measuring tank whereby material passes by gravity from said surge tank to said measuring tube when said valve means at the base of said surge tank is open, discharge means under said measuring tank to convey material from said measuring tank to a discharge location when said valve means in the base of said measuring tank is open, and token operated means operatively connected to said conveyor means, said valve means in said surge tank and said valve means in said measuring tank to operate same in a predetermined sequence.
 3. The device according to claim 1 which includes a surge tank between said conveyor means and said measuring tube, and valve means in said surge tank, grain passing from said surge tank into said measuring tube when said last valve means is opened.
 4. The device according to claim 1 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.
 5. The device according to claim 2 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.
 6. The device according to claim 3 which includes a grain crimper in said discharge means for partially crushing said grain as it passes thereto.
 7. The device according to claim 1 which includes switch means operated by said weigh scale means and operatively connected between said source of power and said conveyor means.
 8. The device according to claim 2 which includes a switch means operated by said weigh scale means and is operatively connected between said source of power and said conveyor means, said valve means at the base of said measuring tube being normally open, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed, said surge tank being full prior to operating of said token operated means, said measuring tube being empty prior to operation of said valve means at the base thereof by said token operating means.
 9. The device according to claim 5 which includes a switch means operated by said weigh scale means and operatively connected between source of power and said conveyor means, said valve means at the base of said measuring tube being normally open, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed, saud surge tank being full prior to operating of said token operated means, said measuring tube being empty prior to operation of said valve means at the base thereof by said token operating means.
 10. The devivce according to claim 2 in which said measuring tank is normally full with said valve means at the base thereof being closed prior to operation by said token operating means, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed prior to operation by said token operating means.
 11. The device according to claim 5 in which said measuring tank is normally full with said valve means at the base thereof being closed prior to operation by said token operating means, said valve means at the base of said surge tank being normally closed prior to operation by said token operating means.
 12. The device according to claim 1 in which said conveyor means includes a container for a supply of said feed grain, valve means in the base thereof, said base being above the upper open end of said measuring tube and feeding grain therein by gravity when said last mentioned valve means is opened.
 13. The deviCe according to claim 12 in which said last mentioned valve means is normally closed until opened by said token operating means, said measuring tube being normally full until the valve means at the base thereof is opened by said token operating means.
 14. The device according to claim 4 in which said conveyor means includes a container for a supply of said feed grain, valve means in the base thereof, said base being above the upper open end of said measuring tube and feeding grain therein by gravity when said last mentioned valve means is opened.
 15. The device according to claim 4 in which said last mentioned valve means is normally closed until opened by said token operating means, said measuring tube being normally full until the valve means at the base thereof is opened by said token operating means. 